A music show to spread AIDS awareness in Sikkim

Gangtok, Aug 23 : Sikkim recently played host to 'Freedom rock tour 2008', a music concert aimed at spreading AIDS awareness.

The show jointly organised by 91.9 FM channel and Sikkim State Aids Control Society (SSACS) in the state with an aim to educate the residents about the dreaded disease.

Bobby Gupta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 91.9 FM said that music cuts across all barriers and is one of the best mediums to spread awareness about a sensitive issue like 'AIDS'.

"The aim of the concert was to create an image and spread message about the AIDS awareness among the youth and socially conscious people," Gupta added.

The performers said that music shows draw a large number of people and the message can be sent across easily.

Alpha Thapa, a performer, said: "When we organize such music shows, we get a lot of response and a lot of people come. Through the medium of music, we can spread the message of AIDS awareness."

The number of people estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in India is about 2.47 million.

Though it used to apprehended that India may have up to 5 million persons affected by HIV, more recent estimates suggest that the number could be between 2 to 3 million.

According to reports, many Indians living in rural areas have never heard of AIDS, creating a dangerous combination of lack of knowledge and unprotected sexual activity.

ANI